Looking for your next travel destination in Japan? Consider the Tohoku Region (東北), located just south of Hokkaido. Renowned for its snowy season, Tohoku offers a plethora of unique regional foods. Among them is nanbu senbei (南部せんべい), a type of cracker made from wheat instead of the traditional rice.
While many makers in the region specialise in nanbu senbei, one company stands out as our “Featured Maker” for the “White Winter” Omiyage Snack Box: Komatsu Seika (小松製菓). We spoke with Sales Representative Mr. Komatsu (小松さん) to learn more about the company’s origins and its enduring legacy of producing a beloved regional snack.
Introduction to Komatsu Seika
Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Komatsu. Please share with us more about Komatsu Seika’s history.
It all started with our founder, Shiki Komatsu (小松シキ), who learned the art of baking wheat crackers at the age of 12 as an apprentice in a small town in Aomori Prefecture (青森県), next to Iwate Prefecture (岩手県). After returning from her apprenticeship, she initially sold vegetables door-to-door but her heart was set on senbei. In 1948, she managed to acquire 21 hand molds and has since dedicated her life to perfecting the craft of nanbu senbei.
Throughout the years, Shiki faced numerous challenges, but thanks to the unwavering support and many cherished connections from the community, she was able to continue making nanbu senbei. Komatsu Seika is proud to be celebrating our 76th anniversary this year.
Renowned manga artist Hiroshi Oba (おおば比呂司) created a design for our products’ packaging, modelling it after her. This design has been featured in television and newspaper advertisements, becoming a symbol of our brand.
Today, we operate directly-managed stores under the brand name “Iwateya” (巖手屋), from Aomori City in the north to Sendai City in the south.
Origins of Nanbu Senbei
What a heartwarming story! By the way, how did nanbu senbei come about, and what is the difference between nanbu senbei and regular senbei?
There are several stories about the origin of nanbu senbei, but the most well-known one dates back about 600 years during the Kentoku Era (1370–1372). It is believed that Emperor Chokei’s retainers made the first nanbu senbei using buckwheat flour obtained from nearby farmers, kneaded them into a round shape, sprinkled with sesame seeds, and offered to the emperor.
Around 450 years ago, the Nanbu Clan used nanbu senbei as field rations due to its long shelf life. Unlike regular rice crackers, nanbu senbei is made from wheat flour, poured into a circular mold, and baked until hard. It features a thin, crispy edge called “mimi” or “ears” in Japanese.
While it is known for its preservability, the flavour of nanbu senbei can deteriorate over time due to oxidation. Thus, nanbu senbei is typically sold in simple packages containing 10 to 20 pieces and remains a beloved and versatile food in the regions once controlled by the Nanbu Clan.
Komatsu Seika’s Nanbu Crackers
The nanbu senbei has such a fascinating history! What are some of your company’s representative nanbu senbei products?
Our nanbu senbei crackers are a product of our long-nurtured skills and are baked with great care, bringing together the techniques that have been cultivated over many years.
Apart from the traditional take on nanbu senbei, we also offer “Choco Nanbu” (チョコ南部) and “Choco Nanbu PREMIUM” (チョコ南部PREMIUM), which contains nanbu senbei chopped into various sizes combined with chocolate. Depending on the type and flavour of the chocolate, we have also experimented with other blends and flavours, such as sesame senbei, mame senbei, matcha senbei, and many more.
We also create variations in terms of texture by chopping the senbei into different sizes. The compatibility of chocolate and nanbu senbei is exceptional, and the addition of nanbu crackers has opened up a new world of chocolate delights.
Oh, the Choco Nanbu was one of the snacks we had in our “Tetsudo Encounters” Omiyage Snack Box in 2023! Can you introduce us to the snack featured in this month’s box?
In this edition of the “White Winter” Omiyage Snack Box, we’re excited to introduce “Bar Nanbu” (Barナンブ), a delightful creation born from a collaboration between three renowned Iwate-based brands: Iwateya, Yamada Soy Sauce, and Baeren Brewery (巖手屋×山田の醤油×ベアレン).
Thick Nanbu Senbei crackers are broken into eight bite-sized pieces and coated in a special sauce made with Yamada Soy Sauce. It might sound like your usual nanbu senbei, but here’s the twist: Baeren Brewery’s beer yeast! This secret ingredient gives the snack its distinctive character—a slightly firm texture with a perfect balance of sweet and savoury. “Bar Nanbu” pairs wonderfully with alcohol and also complements rich non-alcoholic beverages like coffee or milk.
WORLD NAMBU PROJECT!!!
We can’t wait for our members to try Bar Nanbu! What’s something that Komatsu Seika is working towards currently?
As part of Komatsu Seika’s unique approach to SDGs, we launched the “WORLD NAMBU PROJECT!!!” (ワールドナンブプロジェクト!!!) this year. With the concept of “Shapes Beyond Circles, Forms Like No Other” 「丸でないかたち、今までにないかたち」, we aim to create excitement and joy while beginning our journey to introduce nanbu senbei to the world.
Currently we are exporting our products through our distributor East Japan Railway Trading (EJRT), but we plan to export independently in the future.
Ninohe City, Iwate: Home to Komatsu Seika
At JAPAN RAIL CLUB, we introduce lesser-known areas and local attractions with our members. Could you share with us more about the region where Komatsu Seika is from?
Our company is located in Ninohe City (二戸市), at the northern inland tip of Iwate Prefecture. It is a small town with a population of about 24,000 people, with the Mabechi River (馬淵川) flowing through its centre. Surrounded by mountains and situated in a basin, the town experiences significant temperature variations, with hot summers and cold winters.
As for Iwate Prefecture in general, Iwate locals are generally known for being stubborn, reserved, and earnest. (laughs) However, they are also highly creative, producing many artists and writers. They excel at steady, diligent work, whether in their jobs or in relationships, and are known for their warm and kind personalities.
Additionally, Iwate has produced notable athletes such as Shohei Ohtani (大谷翔平) and Yusei Kikuchi (菊池雄星), who have excelled in the field of baseball.
Interesting facts about Ninohe
That is so interesting! Are there any local attractions or notable crafts in Ninohe or Iwate that you would recommend for foreign travellers to Japan?
At an elevation of 852m, Mount Oritsume (折爪岳) is Ninohe City’s highest peak. It features a campsite and an observation deck, offering views of Mount Iwate and Hachinohe City in the distance. In summer, you can witness a magical forest illuminated by millions of fireflies, nurtured by abundant spring water. In autumn, locals would flock to Basenkyo Gorge (馬仙峡) for fall foliage.
Currently, over 97% of the lacquer distributed within Japan is imported, only 3% is domestically produced. Of that, about 70% is Joboji lacquer (浄法寺漆 Jōbōji-urushi), produced mainly in the Ninohe area. This high-quality lacquer has been reevaluated for its excellence after being used in the restoration of Japan’s national treasures, such as the Konjikidō Golden Hall at Chūson-ji Temple (中尊寺金色堂) in Hiraizumi, Kinkaku-ji (金閣寺, the Golden Pavilion) in Kyoto, as well as the shrines and temples in Nikko (日光東照宮、二荒山神社、輪王寺: Nikkō Tōshogū, Nikko Futarasan Shrine, Rinnōji Temple), a UNESCO World Heritage site.
2door: The gateway to the world of chocolates and nanbu senbei
Thank you for sharing! Also, where is Komatsu Seika’s shop located in Ninohe?
We have a shop called “Northern Chocolate Factory and Store 2door” (北のチョコレート工場＆店舗「2door」), which has been welcoming visitors since 6 October 2016.
The name “2door” carries a double meaning: it reflects the English translation of the city name Ninohe “two doors”, while also symbolising the fusion of two different worlds—nanbu senbei and chocolates, as well as the harmony between tradition and innovation, an exciting gateway to the future.
At 2door, you can observe the chocolate production process up close. In addition to our wide selection of chocolate products, we also offer a wide variety of nanbu senbei and other shop-exclusive products.
Our facility also features a café space and hands-on activity areas, making it an ideal destination to visit with family and friends. Be sure to stop by and enjoy a unique and delicious experience!
Northern Chocolate Factory and Store「2door」(北のチョコレート工場&店舗 2door（ツードア）)
Address: 65-3, Arase, Ishikiridokoro, Ninohe-shi, Iwate 028-6103
Access: 15-minute walk from Ninohe Station, or a 5-minute taxi ride.
Message from Komatsu Seika, Iwateya
What our company does is food manufacturing. We are where we are today thanks to our loyal customers, reliable ingredients suppliers, and people who work with us. Each senbei we make embodies the many blessings we receive from nature. We are deeply grateful for all of this and will continue to strive to deliver even better products to everyone in the future, never forgetting the warmth of our grandmother Shiki’s hands.
JAPAN RAIL CLUB is thrilled to feature the snack “Bar Nanbu” (Barナンブ) by Maker Komatsu Seika in our exciting December 2024 Omiyage Snack Box! 🎁 Treat yourself to the joy of Japanese snacks every month—subscribe to JAPAN RAIL CLUB today!
